England versus India 5th Test: Day 3 Highlights
Score at stumps
India 1st innings: 224
England 1st innings: 247
India 2nd innings: 396
England 2nd innings: 50/1
India took charge on Day 3, batting solidly through the middle and late sessions to better their overall advantage, before delivering a late breakthrough with the ball. England’s reply began promisingly but ended the day trailing significantly, with the 5th Test finely poised for a gripping finale.
India’s steady morning progress
India resumed with a modest lead from their overnight 75/2. They built positively. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Akash Deep formed a brilliant partnership under cloudy skies to add 107 runs together. India, by lunch, stood at 189/3. They led by 166 runs. Jaiswal was unbeaten on 85 and Akash Deep on 66. A heated exchange between Jaiswal, Zak Crawley, and Ollie Pope added drama as field tensions heightened during this session.
India extend lead in the afternoon
Akash Deep, who went out to bat as a nightwatchman on day 2, scored a half-century (66 off 94 balls), frustrating the opposition before falling just ahead of lunch. India captain Shubman Gill, in the post-lunch session, was dismissed leg-before-wicket (LBW) for 11. It paved the way for Jaiswal to dominate the middle order. Karun Nair and others fell cheaply. Jaiswal kept the tempo high and scored his second Test century of the series. He eventually scored 118 off 164 balls before nicking off to Tongue.
India’s tail ends in the afternoon
Ravindra Jadeja scored a composed 53 off 77 balls. Washington Sundar then cut his way to a 39-ball 53. He smashed multiple sixes including some huge strikes that expanded India’s lead past 350. Josh Tongue finished his spell with 5/125 that innings that included key wickets of Jadeja and Sundar. India were bowled out for 396 setting England a daunting target of 374 to win.
England’s reply
Openers Crawley and Duckett gave a steady start. They forged a 50-run opening partnership. Mohammed Siraj, just before stumps, struck with a perfect yorker to dismiss Crawley for 14. England ended the day at 50/1. They need 324 more runs to with the Test with nine wickets in hand.
What to expect on day 4
India ended day 3 in a commanding position with a 323‑run advantage. The highest 4th innings successful run chase at The Oval was 263/9 by England against Australia in 1902. They need a record 4th innings score to beat India. England’s reply began cautiously. Siraj’s last-ball wicket has dented their hopes. The 5th Test is set up for a dramatic finale.
Pic: Outlook
